Monsey, NY – A letter released today by one of the Rabbis that has provided kashrus certification for years to Agriprocessors in Postville, Iowa, before it was sold to AgriStar, has informed the public that he has removed his hechser from the poultry processing facility.
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In his letter Rabbi Weissmandl states “I wish to advise the public that as Friday, Feb. 12, 2010, I will terminate my Kosher certification of the poultry plant, and poultry meat processing facility of AgriStar in Postville, Iowa, which is now under new management. These products are packaged under the “Aaron’s Best” -“Supreme Kosher” and “Agri Star” labels. As of this Friday, Erev Shabbos Parshas Mishpotim, my Kosher certification will no longer be in force and I take no further responsibly for its Kashrus. The public should take note.”
VIN News has confirmed the authenticity of the letter and the fact that Rabbi Weissmandl has removed the Kosher certification
wow to bad he is a real well known person in the hashkochey line
Not clear. Just poultry or all meats?
Why does a place need multiple hashgochas anyways? He must not have been adding much to the customer base to make the hashgocha worthwhile. There should be a rule that only one hashgocha is allowed, it will make all the inferior ones raise their standard if they want to stay in business, which is what most hashgachas are.
Acording to most american gedoilim… Rav Weismandel is one of the most trusted hechsheirim in the States!
It’s hard to read – what does it say about Tevye’s meat?
All meats and Meat products from Agri star, he did not remove it from “Tavviy’s Ranch”, it’s a different company which is under Rabbi Weissmandl’s Hashgucha (it belongs to Mr. Chitric,)
The meat and poultry is as kosher today as it was yesterday and his actions are irrelevant.
has the ou and bet yosef
If he wrote it Wednesday to be effective Friday, it’s obviously not a kashrus problem. He would have needed to remove it immediately! If the new management wants to change some of his hashgocho requirements in future production, that’s a matter the current Baalei Machshir or future replacement hashgocho should address ASAP to the suspicious public.
Why didn’t he post this letter in the newspapers?
being that R’ weissmandel’s hashgacha is one of the best and now he has taken it off I will completely stop eating that meat! don’t forget what happened a couple years ago. kosher meat is not a joke
This just is another reminder that “hashgacha” is a business and mashgichim engage in all sorts of political and commercial decisions that have no relationship to kashruth. These frequent decisions by various rabbonim to grant and withdraw their names from the hashgacha of a particular company, plant or restaurant with no explainaiton only add to the cynicism most yiddin have. Other posters have already made the suggestion that only ONE hashgacha should be allowed at any time and a reason must be given to change hashgacha.
No change in kashrus. The new mgmt wants to cut cost. They didn’t want to pay the price. Otherwise Rabbi Weismandel would have written immideate halt to the Hashgacha. the new owners of the plant are known for Ehrlicha Yiden. They wouldn’t do something against Kashrus Halacha.
Tartoke will be taking over. Weissmandel didn’t want to look like he was being kicked out. He decided to walk first.
What’s tartikov’s rull here?
Different hashgachas will rule differently on different issues. neither wrong but some more strict. For example, the powder used in the packaging by a certain plant (in the bag touching the meat that bulk meat is packed in) is kitniyos. Thus one hashgacha only gives it pesach hashgacha when using special pesach packaging while another hashgacha cosiders it pesachdik year round considering the kitniyos batul. While the average person wouldnt know this considering how careful we are not to even eat gebrachtz I wouldnt want to use the meat touching kitniyos.
Just to clarify for the consumer:
The Hashgocho of Rabbi Yechiel Babad, Rav of Khal Tartikov, is not affiliated with the Hashgocho of “Tartikover Beis Din”.
Rabbi Yechiel Babad gives the Hechsher for Kosher Valley Chickens and has no connection with Agri Star and its affiliates.
Just wanna know how a new bal machsher is not afraid of stepping on the toes of a bal machsher that’s there for years a put his heart & sole in the place? Is that yosher?!
Its known fact, weissmandl build the entire kashrus system of that place with a lot of energy and talant, the owner dose not appricate that fact
I only eat meat which comes from cows that were born with a mehadrin kosher symbol such as that of the Underwriters Laboratories (U-L) on their hind legs. I stopped eating poultry when I could no longer get frozen kapoores chickens that were born with same under their left wing. This psak comes from the Baal HaChumros d’Chelm and is accepted by baalei goal nefesh throughout the world! Mishenichnas Adar..:))!
The OU is a superb agency with many talented individuals working for them. I am sure that they will maintain the same supervision they were giving till now.
C’mon, people. Where is the all the Yudel-esque, pilpuldike conspiracy mongering about the “serious kashrus violations” that must have taken place in order for RMMW to remove his hekhsher? We got more than an earful on the matter here when KAJ flew the coop a couple of years ago. You’re letting me down, here…
I dont chap how he removed his hashgocha from supreme kosher – supreme kosher name is owned by agri, cuz the weird thing is that hes still giving hashgocha to the same supreme kosher beef from uraguay. its fooling people into thinking that uraguay beef comes from agri in postville
It doesn’t say in the letter the reason for removing the hechser money or kashrus. I think this is very irresponsible.
Has there been any annoucement from Tartoke as to the details of what happened in Agri ? Maybe he can clear up some facts.